Population 57,169 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in ZIP 35242
Household size in ZIP 35242
| Period | ZIP 35242 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.56 | 2.56 | 2.55 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.61 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.61 | 2.59 | 2.58 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.48 | 2.57 | 2.56 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | +0.01 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in ZIP 35242 has 2.48 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 2.56, mirroring the country.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in ZIP 35242
| Period | ZIP 35242 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.2 | 37.9 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.8 | 39.1 | 39.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.2 | 39.9 | 40.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.9 | 40.0 | 40.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.8 | +2.1 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
The median resident of ZIP 35242 is 43.9 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 38.2 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. The youngest areas are in the north, the oldest in the west.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in ZIP 35242
| Period | ZIP 35242 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.4% | 12.1% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.2% | 12.0% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.1% | 11.2% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.2% | 12.0% | 12.2% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.8 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in ZIP 35242: 7.2% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has edged up 0.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. ZIP 35242 has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Alabama ZIP codes.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in ZIP 35242
Renters in ZIP 35242
| Period | ZIP 35242 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.9% | 27.9% | 28.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.7% | 30.4% | 30.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.6% | 30.6% | 31.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.1% | 29.2% | 29.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.8 pts | +1.3 pts | +0.9 pts | +1.5 pts |
More than a quarter of households in ZIP 35242 rent their homes (27.1%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 34.6% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the north; owners are most common in the southeast. The renter share has fallen 1.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in ZIP 35242
| Period | ZIP 35242 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.8% | 12.5% | 14.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 12.8% | 14.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.7% | 13.6% | 15.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 6.8% | 11.6% | 13.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.1 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in ZIP 35242 than nationally: 6.8%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 4.1 points, as it has nationally. Only 28 of the 288 Alabama ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in ZIP 35242
| Period | ZIP 35242 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1994 | 1979 | 1980 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1995 | 1981 | 1982 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1996 | 1982 | 1983 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1998 | 1984 | 1986 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Much of the housing in ZIP 35242 is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1998, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1994 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the southwest has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in ZIP 35242
| Period | ZIP 35242 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,141 | $827 | $716 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,160 | $903 | $785 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,226 | $984 | $858 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,538 | $1,238 | $1,091 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$396 | +$412 | +$375 | +$606 |
The median renter in ZIP 35242 pays $1,538 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are higher than in the wider Birmingham area ($1,238). Rents are up $396 a month from 2006–10, a 35% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 30.6% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in ZIP 35242
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 35242
| Period | ZIP 35242 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 59.2% | 28.3% | 23.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 59.9% | 29.1% | 24.3% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 62.8% | 31.1% | 26.2% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 67.1% | 34.7% | 29.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.9 pts | +6.4 pts | +5.7 pts | +7.2 pts |
ZIP 35242 is highly educated: about two-thirds of adults 25 and older (67.1%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 7.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only four of the 288 Alabama ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in ZIP 35242
| Period | ZIP 35242 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.9% | 85.7% | 82.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.8% | 86.8% | 84.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 97.9% | 88.9% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.4% | 90.5% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.5 pts | +4.9 pts | +6.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in ZIP 35242: 97.4% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Of the 288 Alabama ZIP codes with 5,000+ people, only six have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in ZIP 35242
| Period | ZIP 35242 | Birmingham area | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.9% | 8.0% | 8.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 4.5% | 9.2% | 10.2% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.9% | 5.9% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.5% | 4.4% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −3.6 pts | −3.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in ZIP 35242 has been low: just 1.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only 15 of the 288 Alabama ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.4 points, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
ZIP 35242 compared with nearby ZIP codes
| ZIP code | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP 35242 | 2.48 | 43.9 | 7.2% | 27.1% | 6.8% | 1998 | $1,538 | 67.1% | 97.4% | 1.5% |
| ZIP 35243 | 2.26 | 40.2 | 8.2% | 44.2% | 13.4% | 1988 | $1,712 | 73.7% | 98.3% | 2.0% |
| ZIP 35223 | 2.62 | 47.3 | 2.2% | 10.5% | 9.4% | 1965 | $1,394 | 83.0% | 99.4% | 1.2% |
| ZIP 35147 | 2.83 | 40.8 | 8.4% | 10.4% | 2.5% | 2002 | $1,915 | 39.2% | 94.2% | 4.0% |
| ZIP 35216 | 2.41 | 39.9 | 10.7% | 44.6% | 9.9% | 1979 | $1,444 | 51.3% | 92.7% | 4.1% |
| ZIP 35043 | 2.95 | 41.6 | 5.7% | 9.0% | 4.3% | 2008 | $1,351 | 45.7% | 97.2% | 3.6% |
| ZIP 35229 | 2.38 | 20.2 | 7.6% | 64.5% | 6.2% | 1966 | $1,605 | 59.3% | 82.9% | 2.1% |
| ZIP 35213 | 2.43 | 38.8 | 2.5% | 26.5% | 9.1% | 1963 | $1,572 | 83.7% | 98.3% | 3.5% |
| ZIP 35210 | 2.25 | 41.6 | 9.1% | 29.2% | 8.0% | 1977 | $1,181 | 42.4% | 93.4% | 3.8% |
| ZIP 35209 | 2.38 | 31.9 | 8.3% | 49.5% | 15.4% | 1967 | $1,515 | 66.3% | 95.4% | 3.0% |
| ZIP 35222 | 2.16 | 37.2 | 8.4% | 45.4% | 10.7% | 1967 | $1,128 | 60.7% | 96.2% | 5.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Zip codes with similar populations: 91913, CA · 32824, FL · 32837, FL · 33063, FL · 33511, FL · 34741, FL · 34746, FL · 43015, OH · 45040, OH · 60638, IL
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up ZIP 35242. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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